Feb
2010
News / Views
Drunken Drivers, Beware! 9th February, 2010
A beautician yesterday , an airhostess and a fashion designer today! Just 24 hours after a drunk stylist ran over a policeman and a biker in Mumbai , a 24-year-old city girl — allegedly after a few shots too many at her pre-nuptial party — rammed her car into a signal post in Ballygunge at 3 am on Sunday, injuring herself critically.
Just three hours later, a designer in Delhi, also reportedly drunk at the wheel, crushed a vendor to death.
Police says that the girl injured in Kolkata was drunk and had no control over the steering wheel. Just days from her marriage, she is now fighting for life in a private hospital.
Apart from these cases , media has made drunken driving “sensational”, whenever celebrities get involved. Remember the case of film star Salman Khan, the heartthrob of millions of young women? On 29th September 2002, the film star, in early hours of morning , drove Land Cruiser over some people sleeping on the pavement at Bandra, Mumbai, killing one and causing serious injuries to three persons. Again, remember the case of Sanjeev Nanda, grandson of the former Naval Chief Admiral S.M. Nanda? In 1999, he mowed down six persons under the wheels of his BMW car. Both of these high profile personalities were allegedly driving under the influence of liquor.
Has drunken driving become a fashion? Is it some thing to prove to your high society friends that you are in control even with a couple of pegs in your blood stream? Whatever may be the logic, without much contradiction we can say that it is on the rise. And people from higher ends of the social life are the principal perpetrators.
This signifies that the rapid economic progress in the society tends to turn our lifestyle into one of recklessness with utter disregard to traditional norms and values. The degradation is catching up fast with the younger generation. We are the members of a democratic society empowered with immense freedom but that does not empower us to show scant regard towards others’ life and liberty. A joyful ride by such merry makers is often becoming a nightmare to others. Like other metropolitan cities, Kolkata is also catching up with frequent cases of drunken driving. Already in the month of January 2010, 26 errant drivers have been booked for drunken driving. Drunken driving has become a common feature amongst the younger folk of Puja, Holi & New Year revelers, who are mostly below 30 years of age. So, we would like to put forward a message, not only to the young but also to the older generation, to ponder upon the issue and give a second thought before they go for a drive in an inebriated condition. There is no chivalry in driving in a drunken condition; on the contrary, it can be doomsday for you and others. Drunken driving causes harm not only to the drivers but also to other human lives and properties. It is a criminal act, which often lands you behind the bar. So avoid drunken driving for a safe journey!
We should always try to be responsible citizens by driving out this social evil so as to make our society a better place for living.
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Larga vida a Kolkata Policía (Long Live Kolkata Police) 29th January, 2010.
Kolkata Police has yet again reached the highest echelon of excellence in the Republic Day Parade 2010. From the day of its inception to present times, Kolkata Police has evolved a lot; but the aim remained the same—the welfare of the society. Apart from giving service to the public, the members of Kolkata Police force have always encouraged in all forms of sports and activities through their active participations.
This year too, was no exception; and when Kolkata Police took part in the Republic Day parade, once again, the participants of Kolkata Police were the best. Our members took part in all the categories and most of them came out with flying colours. We will now announce the names of those who have made Kolkata Police proud and the categories in which they have excelled.
- Kolkata Armed Police contingent was adjudged as the best marching contingent (state police category)-2010.
- Kolkata Mounted Police contingent adjudged as the best marching contingent in the animal category.
- Kolkata Police Home Guard contingent was adjudged as the 2nd best marching contingent in the Voluntary Organization category.
- Subedar Darrel Williams was awarded for the maximum number of participation in Republic day parades, i.e. 23 times.
- Sergeant Samir Diawali was awarded for the best marching contingent commander, Kolkata Traffic Police/State Police category.
- Dist. Commandant Rina Saha was awarded for the best marching contingent commander K.P. Home Guard/ Voluntary Organization category.
Hats off to the winners!
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Fire fury turns fatal at Ultadanga
Amidst the buzzing and wheeling traffic of Kolkata were struck the life-saving fire extinguishing vehicles. On Tuesday afternoon the 12th of January 2010, a slum at Ultadanga witnessed ruins and rummages, destruction and despair when the fire fury turned fatal. A gas cylinder burnt saw the shanties in devouring flames as the victims stood witness to their own destruction of property, life and hope. The situation hopelessly aggravated as Kolkata was experiencing not so uncommon political or rather ‘democratic’ agitation through road blocks and strikes. Auto-rickshaw drivers blocked roads at major intersections of the city disrupting traffic and adding to the misery of the general public. There was also a scheduled road block by a political party from afternoon 2 o’ clock to 3 o’ clock at vital crossings at Kolkata. The fireman got delayed in reaching to the rescue of the blazing inferno due to these road blocks.
Kolkata police tried to handle the matter efficiently by requesting the agitators to at least allow the fire extinguishing vehicles to move so that they could rush to the spot. Our police only requested the protestors, as the road blockade was scheduled and as protests and demonstrations are democratic rights. When the fire fury had already taken its toll, one person died, several were injured and much property were lost in the massacre. Relief was arranged for the victims by nightfall.
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Inauguration of the new location of Tollygunge Police Station & Tollygunge Traffic Guard.
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Drama busted, stolen cash recovered
It was a robbery well enacted. But the pretence of the culprit could not escape the sharp-eyes of officers anti dacoity and robbery squad. A small discrepancy in his statement led to an intense interrogation. Finally, the person confessed to have hidden the money at a secret place.
Kabi Nath Gupta alias Ankit lodged a complaint with Bowbazar police station on November 14, 2009 that on his way back to his office at British India Street from ING Vyasa Bank in Middleton Street after encashing a cheque worth Rs 4.10 lakh, he was attacked by an unidentified miscreant at around 2.30 pm.
According to the complaint, the miscreant slashed him with a razor from his back and took away the money he was carrying for his company, Nemani & Co. A profusely bleeding Kabi Nath Gupta was removed to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
Anti Dacoity and Robbery Squad officers swung into action and during the probe, the officers closely examined the wounds and long cut marks on the shirt. The cut marks were irregular and non-continuous in nature. Moreover, the investigators found discrepancies in his narration of the dacoity.
Following an intense interrogation, it became clear to the police that he was not telling the truth. A further grilling revealed that he had concocted the whole incident along with his brother Praasant Gupta alias Guddu to arrange for the funds of their sister’s marriage.
A team of Anti Dacoity and Robbery Squad escorted Kabi Nath Gupta, where he claimed to have hidden the money. It was a small shop making quilts, situated at 131, Cotton Street, Kolkata, run by his father and Guddu himself. The entire money i.e; Rs. 4.10 lakh was recovered from inside the sacks of cotton used for the purpose of making quilts and a part of it was also kept wrapped in a polythene on the store room of the shop.
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Prompt arrest and recovery
Anti- Dacoity and Robbery squad personnel registered a breakthrough in a robbery case with the arrest of the culprit within three days of its occurrence and recovered all the belongings robbed from 20-year-old Chandrima Gupta, a law student with Hazra Law College of Calcutta University. Chandrima, originally from Halishahar in North 24 Parganas, currently stays at Salt Lake. On November 9, near AMRI Hospital, she boarded a private car being used for shuttle service from.
She was supposed to get down at Gariahat. But the car diverted and moved towards Lake Gardens. As she started protesting, at around 11.20 am, the car halted at a relatively deserted place at the middle of the Lake Gardens flyover. He held her at the point of a knife and robbed her of two mobile phones, three gold finger rings. In the process, Chandrima was assaulted by the driver of the car.
Then the car sped off leaving traumatized Chandrima on the middle of the flyover. Chandrima lodged a complaint with Lake Police station. She was then removed to M R Bangur Hospital. There she was treated and discharged.
Anti Dacoity and Robbery Squad of the city police Detective Department swung into action and in course of investigation, arrested Mohammed Monir alias Bappa (22) of Purba Jadavpur on credible source information from Santoshpur, Jadavpur November 13.
After the arrest and prolonged interrogation, the robbed articles — three gold finger rings, two mobile phones of the complainant and the offending vehicle one blue Maruti A-Star were also recovered.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ 26th November,2009,Kolkata Police Remembers And Mourns For The Victims Of The 26/11 In Silence.
Long before this Diwali, we initiated a virtual battle against use of banned high-decibel fire-works. This resulted into some success. But there is no point denying that high-decibel fire-crackers were burst on Diwali night. Simply through enforcement, it is nearly impossible to make Diwali night a celebration of light, not that of noise. Two major hubs of fireworks-manufacturing units are located closed to Kolkata. They are supposed to manufacture them for other states where the noise -pollution norms are bit relaxed. But pilferage happens and banned fireworks are smuggled in. All this happens because there is a demand.
We urgently feel that it is high time we have a lively debate on the use of noisy fire-works. Let environmentalists and doctors come out with their views on the ill-effect of high-decibel fireworks on health and environment. Let historians say how and when the festival of light turned into a festival of noise. Let sociologists tell what social implications this sudden spurt of noise pollution may have. Let economist quantify the environmental damage and the financial loss incurred by the noise. Let a man on the street opine.
There must be a large number of citizens who might think otherwise. They might think that one day of noise pollution hardly makes any difference. They might think that police action against bursting fire-crackers is an attack on the tradition and heritage. There might be far more outrageous views on this issue than we could conceive. We even invite them, who do not agree with the ban, to this debate. Let them speak their heart out.
Let’s have a lively platform of debate and discussion out of which we might get some unique solutions to the problem. We hope finally good sense would prevail. Who knows? We might find people, who used to be a violator, are now willing to volunteer for vigil against use of banned fire-works at the end of the debate.
From Editor Kolkata Cops
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Good Work done
Biswajit Biswas
Biswajit Biswas, Home Guard No. – B05796 attached to Sealdah Traffic Guard was detailed for Traffic Duty on 07-09-09 near College Street Bata. In course of his duty, at about 12:55 hours, he suddenly found an object lying on the road. Close examination revealed it to be a bundle of currency notes amounting to Rs. 10,000/-. He instantly brought the matter to the notice of Addl. OC Sealdah Traffic Guard Insp. Debashis Ghosh. Both of them immediately left the spot for depositing the money at Amherst St. PS.
This rare show of honesty was sincerely acknowledged by the seniors and members of the force. Biswajit Biswas by this exemplary act, not only upheld the identity of the organization but also reinstated the faith of the common man.
Such instance will definitely reinstate the faith of the common man and encourage other members of the force to come forward for the assistance of the common man and truly highlight the motto “We care For You.”
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Timely Interception by Police prevents commission of Robbery.
On 08/11/09 at around 23.50 hrs, QRT (WG-296) positioned at the Chingrighata and E.M. Bye-Pass chased and intercepted a north bound Indigo Private Car No. WB-03-2117 near Beliaghata Main Road and E. M. Bye-Pass crossing as the driver of the Private Car was shouting for help. Out of 04 (four) incumbents 01 (One) managed to flee. Other 3 (Three) persons were arrested and taken to Beliaghata P.S. Information revealed that, 04 (Four) miscreants boarded the Private Car on hire near Ruby General Hospital on way to Hudco crossing, Ultadanga with intension of robbery under the point of sharp cutting weapon.
O.C Anti snatching squad , D.D pursued the matter and collected the gold neck chain for delivering the complainant duly identified by her. The honesty of conductor Murtaja Ali is such an instance which will definitely encourage the citizen to come forward for the assistance of the common man.
KP wins Gold in State Level Shooting Competition
Kolkata Police again had commendable performance at the State Level Shooting Competition recently held at Asansol. Our officers and men led by Subedar Williams scored high apart from outstanding performance of individuals in different categories of shooting competition. Sgt Surojit Gupta of RF won Silver Medal in .38 revolver shooting, SI Sourav Mondal of SB won gold in .22 rifle shooting and silver in .38 revolver shooting, Lady Constable Sudipta Pal won silver in .22 rifle shooting and Constable Rajesh Banik of commando won gold in .38 revolver shooting. The team is planning to participate in the national level competition.
Theatre
Kolkata Police Ministerial staffs wins prizes in drama competition. The theatre “Alor Patho Jatri” , produced, directed and acted by our staffs bagged best producer, second best director , third in best actor , best actress and best side role trophies. The director of the theatre Mihir Sur got two prizes for acting and direction while Sampa Das , Kalidas Paik and Jhuma Sirkar won other prizes. Our best wishes with them.
PUJA GOODWILL FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF KOLKATA
Law and Order:
• A traffic sergeant turned saviour to a woman in distress.
A traffic sergeant came to the aid of a distressed woman by chasing a bus and recovering her bag which she had mistakenly left in the bus and got down in hurry at Rabindra Sadan. She was carrying cash, jewellery and some important documents in the bag.
The sergeant Indranarayan Chowdhury was on duty at Park Street – JL Nehru Road Crossing. At around 12 noon, he found a harried woman crossing the Kyd Street –J L Nehru Road Crossing, holding her son tightly. Her movement was erratic. Immediately Indranarayan came to her aid and inquired. The woman, who was later identified as Swapna Ghosh (40), could only say that she had left behind her bag containing valuables in a CTC bus and got down. The CTC bus from Mandirtala was going towards Dharmatala (Esplanade). Without wasting a moment, Chowdhury asked the traffic constable at Kyd Street crossing Pradip Saha to take care of Swapna and her son. At the same time, he informed the traffic personnel at Dorina crossing to keep the signal red, not to allow the bus to go farther north. The sergeant then moved towards Esplanade. He located the bus and inquired whether there was any bag lying on the bunk. The conductor of the CTC bus initially refused to hand him the bag citing rules. Chowdhury then told the conductor that the owner of the bag was not feeling well and it would not be right to stick to the rule. Chowdhury gave the conductor all his details and took the bag to Swapna Ghosh. After getting back the bag Swapna felt better. “If the sergeant was not there I would have been in a major trouble. Besides some cash and jewellery, the bag contained some very vital documents,” said Swapna, a health department employee. Swapna was on her way to her brother’s house near Hudco at Ultodanga with her son Adhish from her Swami Vivekananda Road house. She got down at Exide Crossing to catch a Salt Lake bound bus. She completely forgot about the bag she kept on the bunk of the bus. But she did not give up. She caught another bus to chase the CTC bus. At Park Street crossing, she got down to get on the CTC bus. But it was not the bus she rode. She got completely perplexed and started feeling unwell. At this juncture Indranarayan Chowdhury came to her as godsend.
This is not the only good job of Chowdhury. A senior officer told that Chowdhury was the first sergeant to reach Duffrin Road after he heard that three passengers have lost their hands in an accident.
